A juvenile eagle was released in Grand River, PEI, on Wednesday, September 28, after a year-long journey back to health. Participating in the release were Nathan DesRoches, who found the bird a year ago near his home in Grand River, and Shane Waite, Jake Gallant, and Evan Blood, clients of Community Connections, a day service in Summerside for people with disabilities. The clients knew about the rescue or were there when the bird was rescued and have been following its progress back to health.

The eagle was found a year ago; it was emaciated, weak and had difficulty flying. It was very timid and kept its head. Because of this behaviour, it was tested for lead poisoning, but the test was negative. It was taken to the Atlantic Veterinary College where it received treatment for several weeks before being sent to Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Nova Scotia to gain flight muscle strength.

Also at the release were Dr. Helen von Doninck and Brenda Boates, Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre; Chuck Gallison, Fish and Wildlife PEI; and Fiep de Bie, wildlife technician, AVC. Read CBC PEI's story about the release here.

The UPEI Women’s Rugby team is looking to pick up its second win of the season this season. The Panthers are currently 1-2, and play at home Saturday, October 1, at 2 pm against Saint Mary’s University.

The Panthers beat the Huskies once already this season with a decisive 54-7 win. Despite the lopsided score, UPEI Women’s Rugby Coach John LaBoyne warns he’s not taking the Huskies for granted.

“Saint Mary's, under new coach Amber Davison, have a new focus and playing style,” said LaBoyne. “Their new press defence puts teams on the back foot in attack. They took us aback in our first game where we were under pressure for much of the first half. Our ability to capitalize on turnovers was the difference in the game last time. Both teams have had time to work on their games, and Saturday's encounter should be a very good.”

The UPEI Women’s Hockey team plays a pair of exhibition games this weekend. The Panthers play Dalhousie University Friday at 7 pm and Saint Thomas University on Sunday at 3 pm.

Tickets for all home games can be purchased at gopanthersgo.ca.

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men’s Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

News release issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:

The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today’s combined federal and provincial investment of $20.84 million for research infrastructure in Prince Edward Island will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island.

The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow.

The funding includes an investment to renovate the University of Prince Edward Island’s (UPEI) century-old Dalton Hall, with the goal of transforming it into an eHUB and Student Success Centre. The renovations to Dalton Hall will align student services and programs to support work-integrated learning, career readiness, and diversified opportunities for learning and working on the Island. The creation of an eHUB will allow the university to develop students to their full potential through experiential learning. This aligns well with provincial strategies for low-cost entrepreneurship spaces in post-secondary facilities and a focus on recruiting and retaining young people to grow the province’s population.

The Government of Canada and Province of Prince Edward Island are each providing $2.875 million for the project. The university will contribute an additional $409,900.

In total, the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors are investing $23.27 million in universities and colleges throughout Prince Edward Island. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.

As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country’s best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for—and create—the high-value, middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators.

That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces launched the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to stimulate Atlantic Canada’s economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that contribute to long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Today’s announcement builds on this commitment.

Quotes:

“This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes. Investments like this also support our Atlantic Growth Strategy, designed to stimulate the region’s economy and address its challenges while building on Atlantic Canada’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Investments like these in Atlantic Canada will support our world-class researchers and position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing Canada’s students with the education and training they need to join a strong, healthy middle class.”
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"We are pleased to support collaboration and excellence between our post-secondary institutions and to equip students with the tools they need to launch successful, enterprising careers here on Prince Edward Island. These investments will contribute to the recruitment and retention of future students while providing them with enhanced support to further their academic and professional success.”
– The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier, Prince Edward Island

“With the creation of the new UPEI eHUB and Student Success Centre, we will significantly enhance our students’ access to the support services and programs they need to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce. Placing the UPEI eHUB and Student Success Centre in Dalton Hall, one of the oldest buildings on our campus, meets the evolving needs of today’s students while acknowledging our university’s history. On behalf of the university community, I thank the federal and provincial governments for their support and investment in UPEI.”
– Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Prince Edward Island

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada is providing $10.42 million for research infrastructure at institutions in Prince Edward Island. The University of Prince Edward Island has been awarded $2.875 million in federal funding for its project.
• The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success.
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada’s universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
• The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada’s climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
• On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces unveiled the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a homegrown, prosperity-focused and evidence-based strategy to stimulate the region’s economy and address both long-standing and emerging regional challenges.
• The Atlantic Growth Strategy is aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region by focusing joint federal-provincial efforts and resources on the following five areas of action: skilled workforce and immigration, innovation, clean growth and climate change, trade and investment, and infrastructure.
• As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, both levels of government will work together on key infrastructure projects.

Canadian lawyer Marie Henein will give a lecture titled “An Inconvenient Profession” at the 2016 Chief Justice Thane A. Campbell Lectureship in Law on Wednesday, October 12, at 1:30 p.m., in Memorial Hall, Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Henein will focus on the role of the legal profession in society, including both the personal demands of the profession as well as the commitment required to the legal system and the rule of law in firmly protecting the role of independent counsel.

A senior partner at Henein Hutchison LLP, Henein has been counsel on numerous high profile cases. Her experience includes a wide range of criminal, regulatory, quasi‐criminal and cross-border litigation representing individual, corporate and institutional clients at the trial and appellate levels. She acts in an advisory capacity in a range of complex internal investigations. She has argued at all levels of court frequently including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Henein received her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and her Masters in Law from Columbia University. She is a past president of The Advocates' Society, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute. She is a founder of the Ontario Court of Appeal's Pro Bono Counsel Program, a program that provides free appellate services to unrepresented appellants at the Court of Appeal.

She lectures extensively and is editor of numerous publications. She has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer and was the recipient of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Laura Legge Award.

Co-sponsored by the University of Prince Edward Island and the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island, the Chief Justice Thane A. Campbell Lectureship in Law honours Thane A. Campbell, Rhodes Scholar, former premier of Prince Edward Island, and first chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.

The lecture is free, but seating is limited. It is recommended that audience members arrive 30 minutes prior to the event. For information about attending the lecture, please contact Jane McKay, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Dean of Arts at UPEI, jmckay@upei.ca, (902) 566-0307.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Alysha Corrigan (women’s rugby) and Jeff Moore (men’s soccer), the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for September 26–October 2. Watch video profile

Alysha Corrigan, a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Charlottetown, set a new school record for points scored in a women’s rugby game. The Subway Player of the Game and centre scored 31 points on 3 tries and 8 converts to help propel the Panthers to a dominating 76-0 win over the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Saturday afternoon.

“She sees things that other people don’t,” said Panthers head coach John LaBoyne. “She's just an amazing young woman and athlete.”

Jeff Moore, a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Stratford, PEI, continues to be strong for the Panthers, playing at the full back position. During Friday’s 3-0 win over Mount Allison University, Moore was outstanding both offensively and defensively; he scored for the Panthers and played both left and right back.

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except men’s hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

The following was released today from the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

HALIFAX, NS – Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) has been appointed Chair of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

The AAU is an advocacy organization working on behalf of the Presidents of the region’s 16 universities (learn more about the AAU atwww.atlanticuniversities.ca).

Dr. Abd-El-Aziz will lead the AAU over the next two years.  He was appointed by his colleagues during the AAU’s recent annual fall meeting at Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS.

Following his appointment, Dr. Abd-El-Aziz said that the region’s university leaders are extremely heartened by the results of the AAU’s 2016 Graduate Retention Study which indicated that 87% of graduates from the region’s universities are satisfied with the quality of their education.  The study also revealed that 70% of graduates would recommend their province of study as a place to live and work.  Most notably, 75% of international student graduates would remain in their province of study after graduation if given a choice.

“These extremely positive results further confirm the high quality of our institutions and their reputation for a unique student experience which attracts local, out-of-region and international students in growing numbers.  Attraction of talented young people to the region is a major component of the federal government’s Atlantic Growth Strategy and universities have an important role to play along with our governments and the private sector to help retain students following graduation,” said Dr. Abd-El-Aziz.

Dr. Abd-El-Aziz added, “The largest program award in the country of nearly $100 million in research funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland and UPEI for the Oceans Frontier Institute, is a great testimony to our universities commitment to collaboration and partnership.” 

To learn more about Dr. Abd-El-Aziz please go to:  www.upei.ca/president/about-president.

The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) represents the interests of universities across the region, ensuring public visibility for the important role they play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation, and in contributing to the economic, cultural and social prosperity of life in Atlantic Canada.

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For further information, contact:
Peter Halpin, Executive Director, AAU
(902) 425-4238/phalpin@atlanticuniversities.ca

University of Prince Edward Island President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz issued a statement today on the passing of UPEI honorary degree recipient, the Honourable Barbara Hagerman.

“On behalf of UPEI students, faculty, staff, and alumni, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Dr. Hagerman’s husband Nelson, their children, and extended family and friends,” said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Barb was not only a tireless community volunteer, beloved music educator, and former Lieutenant Governor of our province, but she was a great friend of this University.”

During her five-year term as Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Hagerman connected directly with the University and established two major initiatives which have had a profound and positive impact on UPEI students: monthly public recitals featuring UPEI music students at Fanningbank, her official residence, and a Family Mentor Program, whereby PEI families would become "hosts" to incoming international students. She and Nelson were proud "Island parents" to twelve UPEI students and remained in close touch with many of them since their graduation. Dr. Hagerman was also the first Honorary Patron of the AIRS project at UPEI.

As noted in the citation read at Convocation in 2014 when her UPEI honorary doctor of laws was conferred, Dr. Hagerman always felt that music had been the key to unlock many of life’s doors, giving her confidence, creative inspiration, and a career. She often said, “I have always lived to sing.” A very organized person and planner, she had even composed her epitaph many years ago, “She just wanted to make a beautiful sound, personally and professionally.”

“The entire UPEI community is saddened that the Honourable Barbara Hagerman’s ‘beautiful sound’ has been silenced, but is heartened that her tremendous contributions to the creative life of our province will be remembered forever,” added President Abd-El-Aziz.

Dr. Hagerman passed away in Charlottetown on October 6, 2016 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year.

Season preview contributed by Thomas Becker

The UPEI Men's Hockey Panthers are a team on the hunt.

After upsetting the Acadia Axemen in the AUS quarterfinals last season but losing to the eventual national champions, the UNB Varsity Reds, the Panthers are hoping to use that experience as their championship pursuit begins.

To combat the inevitable injury bug that decimated their lineup last season, the Panthers armed themselves with a group of skilled recruits who will provide much-needed depth to their lineup.

“The teams that do well in our league are able to protect themselves against injuries, suspensions and illness,” said Panthers head coach Forbes MacPherson. “At this time last year, we felt like we had a pretty good team. But all of sudden three weeks into the regular season, and we were down three top-six forwards and we just couldn’t recover from it.”

Now, after a successful offseason in which they acquired 10 new players, the Panthers are eager to hit the ice when it all matters Saturday night.

“We had a big recruiting year, both in quantity and quality,” the coach said. “Bottom line, we just had to get better and we had to get deeper and I think we did that.”

Strong relationships with past and current Panthers helped make the acquisitions possible, promising their new linemates a small but welcoming school with a hockey program gearing up for a championship run.

“We wanted to bring in players who have all the qualities we are looking for in a person and as a player.”

Among them are former NHL prospects Austin Levi (third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2010) and Cody Payne (fifth-round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2012), Kurt Etchegary (former captain of QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts), Beau McCue (Tri-City Americans of the WHL), J.C. Campagna (St. Thomas Tommies), Riley Whittingham and Bobby Zinkan (Summerside Western Capitals).

“From a hockey perspective, they increase our skill level.”

Forwards Payne, Etchegary, McCue, Campagna and Whittingham will help shore up an offence that struggled to score at times, notching just 78 goals in 28 games – the fewest of any playoff team. They’ll join winger Marcus Power (32 points) and P.E.I.’s own Brent Andrews (25 points) to form a skilled attack that will have opponents scrambling for answers.

“We won’t be relying on one or two players to carry the workload offensively,” said MacPherson. “It’ll be more of an offence-by-committee and that will make us more difficult to go up against. We’re going to get everyone involved so our depth becomes an asset.”

Physically the Panthers are a bigger team, built with the strength necessary to push top-tier teams like UNB and St. FX off the puck while making their rivals uncomfortable throughout the game.

“We have to use our size, physicality and aggression on the forecheck to make an impact.”

Led by all-star and Summerside native Ryan MacKinnon and fellow defenceman Nelson Armstrong, the defence aims to improve after allowing 100 goals in the 2015-16 campaign – the third highest of any team.

While Levi’s NHL experience will be felt behind the blue line, the key to success will likely come down to sound fundamentals and a team approach that MacPherson has been preaching throughout training camp.

Longtime Panther Mavric Parks’ place between the pipes has been taken over by Matt Mahalak, who is expected to get the majority of the starts this season. Mahalak put together a respectable season as a reserve, posting a 2.77 goals against average with a .917 save percentage. Connor Wilkinson, meanwhile, will serve as Mahalak’s backup.

“The two goalies left behind are going to be handed the keys and we believe they can get the job done.”

While the (AUS) conference has a lot to offer in terms of national superiority (UNB, St. FX and Saint Mary’s finished as CIS’s top ranked teams), the Panthers aren’t ready to just hand over a championship. They’ll have a lot to say about it when the puck drops for real on Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be the most competitive year ever for this conference. Anybody who’s watched our team over the last few years knows when they buy a ticket, they’re going to see a very fast-paced, competitive, hard-hitting, aggressive hockey team.”

Catch the Panthers at home on October 8 when they take on the defending national champions the UNB Varsity Reds at MacLauchlan Arena. Puck drops at 7 pm.

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men’s Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

UPEI’s Dr. James Moran delivered the first of the 2016 Shannon Lectures at Carleton University. This year, the Shannon Lectures examine the social, intellectual and cultural history of health, sickness, disease and medicine. Dr. Moran’s lecture was entitled “Trials of Madness: Civil Law and Lunacy in a Trans-Atlantic World During the 18th and 19th Centuries.”

Dr. Moran is an associate professor in the history department at the University of Prince Edward Island. He researches and writes about the history of disease, medicine, and mental health. Recent publications include, ‘Travails of Madness: New Jersey, 1800-1870’, in Waltraud Ernst, ed., Work Therapy, Psychiatry and Society, c. 1750 – 2010 (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016) and, with Dr. Lisa Chilton, ‘Mad Migrants and the Reach of English Civil Law,’ in Marjory Harper ed., The Past and Present of Migration and Mental Health (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). He is in the completion stages of a book entitled, Madness on Trial: English Civil Law and Lunacy in trans-Atlantic Context.

UPDATE: Matt Mahalak has also been named the Subway AUS Athlete of the Week! Congratulations, Matt!

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Carolina Del Santo (women’s basketball) and Matt Mahalak (men’s hockey), the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for October 3-9!

Matt Mahalak is a third-year Business student and a goalie from Monroe, Michigan. With Mahalek between the pipes, the UPEI Men’s Hockey team won back-to-back games in the last week. The Panthers beat Université de Moncton 7-5, and won against the University of New Brunswick in an overtime shootout. “Matt played very well for us on the weekend,” said coach Forbes MacPherson. “It was important for Matty to get off on the right foot, and with two wins and 60 saves, he was a key factor in our two-win week.”

Carolina Del Santo comes to the UPEI Women’s Basketball team from Barcelona, Spain. The first-year science student kicked off her career as a Panther at the Concordia tournament in Montreal, pulling a double-double in her final two games. She scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against the University of Ottawa, and 14 points and 10 rebounds against the University of Guelph. She shot over 50% from the field and was selected to the tournament all-star team. “Carolina played very well at the Concordia tournament getting better in each of our three games,” said coach Greg Gould. “She gives us the low-post presence that we have been lacking. She not only gives us scoring and rebounding, but is someone who can defend opposing posts exceptionally well. I feel that as Carolina gets more experience at the CIS level she will become a dominant force in the AUS.”

Congratulations Carolina and Matt!

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men’s Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.